Clean Air Ride 2012
Here's a glimpse of our Clean Air Ride on Saturday.
CRABS on the Suwannee
It was my distinct pleasure today to host a visit to our area by the C.R.A.B.S. (Crusty Retired All Bent Society) as they joined me for a somewhat breezy spin on the Nature Coast State Trail. We all met up at the Fanning Springs State Park and shivered about for several minutes while an overcast sky had shrouded a bright sunny beginning.
Shortly after we started riding, the clouds cleared away and once again let the sun brighten our visions of brilliant jasmine blossoms, bluebirds, and a phoebe.
While our visitors had plenty to talk about, they seemed delightfully taken with the natural setting and openness of the area.
We fancied ourselves struggling upwind into Cross City, confident that upon turning around, we'd have a very supportive tailwind and a bright sun on our chest. We were not disappointed. The 20 miles to Trenton sailed by effortlessly even though we stopped in Old Town for brief relief each way.
The last leg returning to Fanning Springs included more frequent sightings of other riders as the day continued to warm up even in the wind. Occasional reference to dining plans were also on the rise while the fuel gauges dimmed.
Bill's Barbeque in Chiefland had been seen to have a full lot at breakfast, so we all agreed this might be a good choice for refueling. We were once again ...NOT disappointed.
A great ride, beautiful day, terrific food and fine friends. My thanks to Phil, Debbie, Bill, Mary, John, Colleen, and Charlie for traveling north to join me on the Nature Coast State Trail.
slide show of the ride
Sheila's Birthday Ride
On the east coast of north Florida, the Flagler Beach Marineland Trail provides a terrific seashore view and lots of varied scenic opportunities. Rick, Myhra, Al, Larry, Kathleen, Sheila, Bob, Carol, Deanne, John, Jeanne, Shelton and I made a baker's dozen. Our group replaced a tube and shared hugs at Moody Park in downtown Flagler Beach before setting out on a downwind spree up to Bing's Landing.
After posing for our group shot, we made our way back down to the overpass bridge to enter the Palm Coast Linear Park on the west side of the Intercoastal Waterway. This very attractive little trail offers not only great restroom facilities and trailheads but also lots of shade and interesting twists, turns, bridges and other riding fun. We enjoyed a sampling of the park and decided it was time to make haste in our return to Flagler Beach for our planned lunch event. Even though we now had a headwind, the allure of lunch made it seem mild.
Additional friends joined us for a fantastic visit to the very special Flagler Fish Company for a birthday lunch. We then relocated the party to New Smyrna Beach for the remainder of a great weekend. Thanks, Sheila!
Here's a link to the slide show.
Veterans Day with veteran Feet First Members
Original, founding members Gary Kirkland, Jim Wilson, and Jim Ossa joined Rick Jacobsen, Thelma Richards and I for what we thought would be a quick outing to Chiefland on a nice cool morning. It was certainly cool enough but it quickly became nice enough that we lost control of our flight plan. On our way back from Chiefland, we stopped in to the barbeque place in Fanning Springs where all the veggies are fried and I enjoyed my very first fried dill pickle spears. To my surprise they were much more enjoyable than the rest of the vegetables!
Full and fearless we conceded we should at least visit Old Town so we could cross the bridge over the Suwannee River (pictured) and then we found ourselves unable to avoid the temptation to go on and include Cross City. Of course, this would inevitably involve stopping in at the Dairy Queen for additional "fuel" to help us survive our over extended trip.
A very lovely day and 36 miles morphed into 100 km end to end to end.
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